Kigoma: The International Organization for Migration, IOM, the United Nations (UN) Migration Agency joined the Local Government to conduct Community Dialogue Sessions on the 16th days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV); a campaign which was officially launched by the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Hon. Ms. Ummy Mwalimu on 25 November 2019 at Jamhuri Stadium Ground in Dodoma.

It is expected to end on 10th December 2019.

This year's theme was Equal Generation: Stands Against Rape.

In line with the theme, IOM in collaboration with Local Government in Kigoma conducted a series of community dialogue sessions in Kibondo and Kakonko districts from 04th to 7th December 2019 on prevention and response to TiP and other forms of violence against women and children (VAWC).

The sessions aimed at raising awareness and improving knowledge among community members (especially leaders) on TiP and to highlight its relation to GBV with the ultimate goal of making them understand their roles towards prevention and response to it in close collaboration with the relevant government institutions/departments.

The event brought together a total of 82 participants: 39 (47%) were female and 43 (52%) were male and it comprised of Ward Executive Officers, Village Executive Officers, Ten Cells Leaders, Religious Leaders, Primary and Secondary Teachers, members from Women and Children Protection Committees, Police, Immigration as well as Social Welfare Officers and Journalist (from Local Radio and TV) from the respective district councils.

The activity has been organized in the framework of the United Nations Development Assistance Plan Two (UNDAP II) through the United Nations Kigoma Joint Programme 2017-2021 and in response to the National Plan of Action to NPA-VAWC 2017-2022 in Tanzania.

In his opening remarks, the District Executive Director- Kibondo, Mr Diocres Rutema lauded the initiatives and support IOM and other UN Agencies provided through different interventions which in turns contribute to the joint efforts in addressing and responding to GBV including TiP. “For instance, IOM has provided support on the establishment of the safe house (the only one of its kind) for victims of trafficking (VoT) and survivors of violence (SoV) of which to date has assisted more than 50 victims and survivors being referred by Kibondo, Kakonko, Kasulu district councils” he noted.

The presentations and discussions were centered on four key areas:

1. GBV and highlighting its current situation,
2. TiP namely concept, causes, consequences, its difference from Human Smuggling) and its linkage to GBVAWC,
3. Existing Acts, Regulations and Action Plans and,
4. Role of leaders, teachers and media in preventing and responding to GBV including TiP in collaboration with relevant government departments/institutions.

The dialogue sessions have contributed to improved knowledge among participants and increased partnership with the purpose of working more closely between themselves towards ending GBVAWC including TiP in their respective areas.

Additionally, participants developed a 6-month plan committing to

1. educate/raise awareness to its community members using different and existing platforms,
2. strengthen communication and collaboration among themselves and with relevant government departments, and
3. provide assistance including referral to victims and survivors.

The Kigoma Region Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Nyamara Elisha expressed his appreciation to the UN Migration Agency, IOM for its support in organizing and co- facilitating the dialogue sessions as it has provided a very useful avenue for different actors at community level to discuss and understand their role (s) in preventing and responding to GBV and TiP.

“It would have not been easy for us to organize this big event and have this fruitful results in terms of developing plan for community leaders to work on it and in close collaboration with us” said the Kigoma Region Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Nyamara Elisha.

IOM acknowledged the financial support provided by the Government of Norway through the Kigoma Joint Programme.

For more information, please contact Ms. Enna Lutengano at email: elutengano@iom.int and telephone +255713975000.